Container with flat top and integral overcap



SepL9, 1952 CiRElD ETAL I 2,609,985

CONTAINER WITH FLAT TOP AND INTEGRAL OVERCAP Filed Ma 22. 1947 ATTORNEYS Sept. 9, 1952 e. c. REID ET AL 2,609,985

' CONTAINER WITH FLAT TOP AND INTEGRAL OVERCAP Filed May 22, 1947 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 INVEE% v BY 1 M ii I 15 11 1 ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 9, 1952 a 2,609,985 OFFICE?" CONTAINER WITH FLAT TOP AND INTEGRAL OVERCAP George 0. Reid and Samuel S. Jacobs, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignors to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 22, 1947, Serial No. 749,805

3 Claims. (Cl. 229'7) The present invention relates to containers fo the packaging and delivery of liquids, such as milk, fruit juices and the like and has particular reference to a sanitary fibre container of animproved construction embodying a reclosure element and having a smooth, unindented top which prevents the accumulation or entrapment of foreign liquids or other foreign matter and which protects the reclosure element, the pouring surfaces and the interior of the container from contamination.

The invention constitutes an improvement upon the container disclosed in United States Patent 2,085,979 issued July 6, 1937 to John M. Hothersall, and is especially an improvement on the top closure construction thereof. Reference is here made to our copending United States application Serial Number 749,806 filed May 22, 1947, issued on May '7, 1950 as United States Patent No. 2,499,416, on Container with Pouring Throat and Connecting Dispensing Opening.

The invention contemplates a sanitary composite top construction for a container which includes a partial end member having a filling and dispensing opening equipped with a reclosure element and protected by a superimposed fiat, smooth container top member, the partial end member and a portion of the top member being secured to the container body by interfolded marginal seam portions of the partial end and top members and the body, a portion of the top member functioning as a permanent protective overcap and extending over the partial end member and reclosure element and the end seams thereadjacent for protecting them against contamination and being hingeable for exposing these parts for filling and dispensing the contents of the container.

An object of the invention is the provision of a sanitary fibre container for milk and other liquids wherein the container top issubstantially flat and smooth and free of any indentations, countersinks or other places where foreign liquids or other foreign matter may accumulate or enter the container either directly or by capillary attraction or may collect on the reclosure element or pouring surfaces for protecting the reclosure element, the pouring surfaces and the interior of the container as well as the contents from contamination.

'Another object is the provision of such a con tainer wherein the pouring area of the container is covered at all times excepting when in use and is completely protected against airborne or liquidborne contamination.

Another object is the provision of such a container wherein the top closure is as strong and as sturdy as the rest of the container and is liquid tight, provides a reclosure which is easy for 2. the consumer to open and rate and expensive overcap.

Another object is the provision of such a container which may be readily manufactured at high speed rates of production on existing machines and with existing materials and with relative economy and which may be readily filled at dairies on existing machines and without any additional materials to be supplied by the dairies; the closure being a composite end closure which is applied to the container as a unitary structure at the factory where the container is made.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the upper end of a sealed container embodyin the instant invention; I

Figs. 2 and 3 are views similar to Fig. 1 and showing the container in different stages of opening as for filling and dispensing;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged elevational view of the upper end of the container as viewed in Fig. 1, with parts broken away and parts shown insection;

'Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the different members and elements which make up a composite top or end closure for the container, the members and elements being shown in superimposed or exploded position preparatory to assembling; f

Fig. 6 is an enlargedfragmentary top plan View of the container and showing details of construction of one corner thereof; I

does not need a sepa- Fig. '7 is a sectional View taken substantially 1 along the line 1 in Fig. 6, with parts broken away;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along a vertical plane indicated bythe lines 8-8 in Fig. 1, with parts broken away; and

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along theline 99 in Fig. 8, with parts broken away.

As a preferred embodiment of the instant invention the drawings illustrate'a rectangular container comprising a fibre tubular body I I (Fig, 1) closed at its upper end with a sanitary, fiat, fibre composite end or top closure l 2 The bottom end of the container may be. closed in any suitable manner, such as for example, as disclosed in. the above mentioned Hothersall patent. r

The body II is formed preferably from a single sheet or blank of fibrous material folded atright angles to provide four side walls I3 and having the side edgesof the sheet overlapped toform' a vertical lap side seam M. The overlapped seam edges preferably are secured with a suit- I opening 35.

3 able adhesive so that a liquid tight side seam results.

The body side walls l3 adjacent their upper ends are formed with an inwardly extending oblique wall section I 1 (Figs. 4 and 8) which merges into a short vertical wall section 8 defining a mouth for the container. The terminal end of the short vertical wall section l8 merges into an outwardly extending peripheral, Efiat horizontal shoulder 2| and -a continuingandssurrounding oiTset ledge 22 disposed in-a horizontal plane slightly below the plane of the shoulder 2|. The outer peripheral edge portion of the offset ledge 22 curves upwardly and thence extends inwardly as a bentback flange 23 disposed ,in ,spaced'and parallel relation to theoiiset ledge 22 and terminates adjacent and in spaced relation -.to the shoulder 2| and thus provides a U-Shaped receiving channel 24 for marginalredge portions-of the top closure I 2.

The composite top closure 12 preferably is a three :member assembly comprising an outer top member 25 (Fig. a hingeableclosure element 2.6. and an inner top .member or filling and .dispensing member 21. member .25 is rectangular in "configuration and is flatand unindented, .being .free of any indentations .or recesses which could collect foreign liquids .or other material. This :top .is formed with a diagonally disposed score-or crease line .28, which divides the member :into two triangular sections ofnearlyequalsize, a-stationary section 3| and a hingeablesection or .overcap .32 which may be hinged u wardly at the score or crease line .28. The outer marginal edge Portion of the hingeable section 32 preferably extends beyond .the edges of the stationary section 3! for securing the hinge section .inplace on the container as will be hereinafter morefully explained.

The dispensing member .2! preferably is triangularin shap and is substantially of the same size as the hingeable section .32 of the top member 25, the formation of the peripheral edges .of the dispensing member corresponding to those of the stationary section :31 of the top member. .Adjacent its outer corner the dispensing member is formed with a circular filling and dispensing opening 35.

In the composite assembly the dispensing member 21 is disposed adjacent and indirectly under .the hingeableor .overcap section .32 of the top member 25, with its-outer edges aligned with the peripheral edges .of the stationary section 3| and with its diagonal marginal edge portion underlapping the stationary section 3!, beyond the crease line 28 .as best shown in Figs. 5 and 8. The underlapping diagonal .margin of the dis- .pensing member 2] .is .adhesively and permanenti y secured .to the stationarysection .3 I of the top member ina liquid tight joint. Thus the dispensing member 21 and the stationary section 3| Qf the .top .member .25 :secured thereto form a rectangular .end .assemblyhaving the hingeable .section 32 overlying .and ,sanitarily protecting :the dispensing member 2:! and functioning as a ;permanenltly available overcap.

"llhe closure or reclosure element 26 .is interposed between the dispensing member .21 and the hingeable section .32 of the top member 25 and is formed with .a countersunk friction plug 36 which .fits snugly in .and seals the dispensing This element is formed with an openin -tab .38 and .an oppositely disposed hinge "lug 3.9. The .hinge lug 3.9 is disposed ,in a depression '40 :(see .Fi s. 5 .and .9) formed in the In general, the Iouter top diagonal margin of the dispensing member 21 and is adhesively secured .in "place to the dispensing member-and to thestationary section 3! of the top member 25 in a liquid tight joint. The three members may be further secured to- .gether .by .a staple 4| which extends from the top member down through all the other members and is bent back on itself against the lower :surface of thedispensing member as best shown in Fig. :9. The closure or reclosure element 26 may be a separate member as described or may be integral .with the dispensing member 21, in which latter case it is formed from the same sheetof raw material and folded back upon itself.

The composite end closure I2 is assembled as a unitary structure prior to assembly with the container body H and embodies all of the elements necessary for producing a sanitary top for a-milkcontainer whichmeets all of the requirements of the sanitary codes of State health departments.

When applied to the container .body 41, the

composite end closure .12 {covers the entire month of the-container as.best:shown in Figs.;-2, 3 and-9. When the closure is in place :on the container it rests on the flat shoulders 2| and the :marginal edge portions of thestationary section 3.! .of the top member .25 :are disposed .in the-receiving channel formed by the body ledge 22 and flange 23 along two adjoining sides .of the container and are .adhesively secured vin place vin :a permanent liquid tight offset joint .or .end seam 43. The outer periphery of this scam preferably .is

.in vertical alignment with the outer surface .of

permanently secured in place in a liquid tight joint or .end seam which is a continuation of the seam 43. This continuation of the seam 43 is disposed in a horizontal plane "below the top member by a distance equal to the thickness of the material of the dispensing member so that both the hingeable and the static-nary sections of the top member remain in the same horizontal plane. This change in planes in the seam takes place adjacent the ends of the diagonal crease line 2-8 in the top member 25 and 'is clearly .shown as a step :45 in the seam as best illustrated fin Fig. 4. At this step, two thickness of stock, that of the :top member 25 and the dispensing member 52!! .are embodied :in the end seam All as shown in Fig. '7. :In these :parts of the seam '43, the top surface of the dispensing member 2.! is :fiush with the outer surface of the fflange 23 so that no recess is formed ,in this portion of the closure.

When the container is closed, thesopeningtab 38 of the reclosure 26 overlies the-adjacentpor- Jticn-Qf the flange 23 of the end seam :43 asshown in Figs. 2 and :8 and the hingeable section ;32 of the top member '25 extends over the reclosure member, with the marginal .edge portions of the hingeable section curled over and under the seam 43 (Fig. 8). This curled over edge portion of the hingeable section .32 retains the section in .place during handling of the container.

Provision is made for guarding the curled over edge portion of the hingeable section 32 of the top member 25 from accidental dislodgment during handling of the container. For this purpose the end seam 43 adjacent the hingeable section 32 is offset inwardly, as indicated by the numeral 46 in Figs. 2 and 6, by a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the curled edge of the hingeable section so that this curled edge is disposed within the general outline of the top closure and is spaced inwardly of the side walls of the container body so that it is not engageable by an adjacent container when a plurality of containers are placed side by side as during shipment and storage.

The entire container and composite end closure preferably is coated inside and outside with parafl'ln wax or other suitable coating material for rendering them liquid and moisture proof.

With such a composite end closure adhesively secured to the body in the end seam 43 the end closure is at least as strong as the other parts of the container and tends to make the container more rigid so that it readily stands up under rough handling. The unindented flat to member 25 sheds liquid or other foreign matter and thereby protects the dispensing member 21, the reclosure member 25, the pouring surfaces around the pouring opening 35 and on the end seam 43, and the interior of the container against this foreign matter and maintains them in the sterile condition under which the container is made, during shipment to the dairy for filling.

At the dairy, the hingeable section 32 of the top member 25 and the reclosure 26 are opened as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and the container is filled. While the container is open as during the filling operation or during dispensing as when the container is tilted into the usual pouring position, the hingeable section 32 serves as a shield for preventing any matter on the top member from entering the container or from falling onto the sterile surfaces thereunder. After filling the container is recl-osed. At this time the friction plug 36 is expanded to form a holding head 48 asshown in Fig. 8.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

We claim:

1. A container for liquids comprising a tubular body having a substantially fiat composite end member secured thereto in a laterally projecting end seam, said composite end member comprising an outer imperforate top member having a fixed portion embodied in said end seam and an integrally formed hingeable protective over-cap portion having a peripheral flange folded over and beneath an opposed part of said projecting seam, said end member further comprising a fixed inner dispensing member disposed beneath said hingeable portion of the top member and secured to the fixed portion thereof, said dispensing member being embodied at a portion of its periphery in said opposed part of said seam and having a dispensing opening therein, and a closure element having a friction plug thereon disposed between said top member overcap portion and said dispensing member and hingedly secured to one of said members for removably closing the dispensing opening in said fixed inner dispensing member.

2. A container for liquids comprising a rectangular body having a substantially flat composite end member secured thereto in a laterally projecting end seam having 'an inwardly ofiset portion, said composite end member comprising a substantially fiat imperforate outer top member having a fixed portion of triangular configuration embodied in said end seam on two adjacent sides of the container and an integrally formed hingeable protective over-cap portion also of triangular configuration having two adjacent peripheral edges embodied in a flange folded over and beneath the opposed inwardly offset part of said laterally projecting seam on the remaining adjacent container sides, said end member further comprising a fixed inner dispensing member disposed beneath said hingeable portion of the top member and secured to the fixed portion thereof, two adjacent edges of said dispensing member being included in said inwardly offset portion of said seam and having a dispensing opening therein, and a hinge closure element having a friction plug thereon disposed between said top member overcap portion and said dispensing member and hingedly secured to one of said members for removably closing the dispensing opening in said fixed inner dispensing member.

3. A fibre container for liquids comprising a tubular body of rectangular cross section having a substantially fiat rectangular composite end member of multiple thickness secured thereto in a laterally projecting folded end seam, said seam having an ofiset portion disposed longitudinally inwardly of the container body, said composite end member comprising a fixed inner dispensing member of triangular configuration having two adjacent peripheral edges embodied in said ofiset portion of said end seam and having a dispensing opening therein, an outer imperforate top member of rectangular configuration having a substantially triangular fixed portion embodied in 'said end seam on two adjacent sides of the container and an integrally formed hingeable protective overcap portion having a peripheral flange folded over and beneath said inwardly oifset portion of said laterally projecting end seam on the two remaining adjacent sides of the container, and a hinge closure element having a friction plug thereon disposed between said outer top member overcap portion and said inner dispensing member and hingedly secured thereto for removably closing and dispensing opening in said fixed inner dispensing member.

GEORGE C. REID. SAMUEL S. JACOBS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

